News Desk
 
Plans to downgrade Chase Farm hospital seem to be moving ahead, despite "strong criticism" of a new report published by the Strategic Co-oridination Group (SGP) which has argued in favour of downgraded the north London hospital.

In May, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley imposed a moratorium on all hospital cuts, saying plans to downgrade Chase Farm could only go ahead if four tests had been met regarding support from GPs and the public. A Clinical Review Panel was established to assess the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey (BEH) Clinical Strategy against the four tests, and today’s report argues that the four tests have been met.

Nick de Bois said, “This report tries to bully Enfield into accepting the downgrade of Chase Farm”.

He added, “It’s clear from the council’s Health Scrutiny meeting, and from what GPs said to Prof. David Kerr in the meeting we arranged, that the four tests have not been met. GP engagement and public consultation has been very poor”.

“The previous Government signed off plans to downgrade Chase Farm to invest in North Mids, which is driving these changes. This BEH strategy does not have the support of Enfield GPs or the public. We will not be bullied and we will fight them all the way”

Mr. de Bois said he will be meeting with Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to stress to him that the four tests have not been met, and therefore the plans to downgrade the hospital should be rejected.